Olympic Trailblazer Beckie Scott Named New Chief Executive Officer of Nordiq Canada

Two-time Olympic medallist to lean on business development, leadership and high-performance experience to build a financially stable system that athletes can trust.

CANMORE, Alta.—Beckie Scott is back at the helm of Canadian cross-country skiing.

After an extensive national search led by the hiring committee composed of Division leaders and sport partners, Nordiq Canada tapped one of Canada’s most influential Olympians and successful leaders in their community to build a financially stable system for the sport she put on the map in Canada as the organization’s new chief executive officer.

“I am so excited for this opportunity and the chance to contribute in a positive way to a sport that I care deeply about, and ensure it continues to succeed well into the future. I will lean into my business development, leadership and high-performance experience with the goal of ensuring Nordiq Canada is both financially stable and achieves high-performance excellence long term,” said Scott.

“I am totally inspired and excited by the current and upcoming athletes in the pipeline and throughout the pathway. I was part of the sport’s system when it worked for athletes, and I was successful because of the support I received. I really look forward to rolling up my sleeves and doing the same for this generation.”

Poised to add another chapter in her already epic story in Canadian cross-country skiing history, Scott exemplifies sporting excellence. North American women had never reached the podium in the quintessential winter Olympic sport until Beckie Scott defied odds in 2002, accomplishing what was once unthinkable, winning Olympic gold. Four years later she teamed up with Sara Renner for a silver-medal triumph at the 2006 Games. Scott retired later that year, having re-written the record books. In addition to her two Olympic medals, she skied onto the World Cup podium 15 times. Her fourth career victory in her final race in Sapporo, Japan secured her second spot in the overall World Cup standings.

“Beckie Scott is a proven performer who immediately garners respect and knows what it takes to achieve excellence in the office and on the trails while working within an under-resourced system,” said Morgan Rogers, chair, Nordiq Canada Board of Directors. “Beckie is a trailblazer who has achieved several goals never reached before. She had the courage to imagine it was possible and the fire in her heart to make it happen. I look forward to her bringing that same tenacity to this role.

“Moreover, Beckie exemplifies everything the Nordic community in Canada requires in a leader. She is a beacon of integrity, collaborative, compassionate, selfless, and a true role model for Canadians across the country. She has always been a spokesperson for our entire sport – a responsibility she bears modestly – and has been an experienced leader of one of the nation’s most successful charities. We could not be more thrilled to welcome Beckie back to Nordiq Canada in this key leadership position.”

Scott’s business acumen and Board experience off the trails is international in scope.

After competing in her third Olympics in Turin 2006, she was elected by her peers to the International Olympic Committee where she served an eight-year term as a member of the Athletes’ Commission. A true icon for clean sport, Scott became a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Executive Committee in 2012 and went on to chair the WADA Athlete Committee from 2013-2019.

“I have lived the power of sport at virtually every level – from being a Jackrabbit in a rural community to becoming an Olympic champion; from navigating high-stakes discussions with the world’s most powerful sport policymakers to leading games for Indigenous youth in remote communities. The knowledge and perspective I’ve gained through all of these experiences are invaluable and will serve me well in this role,” said Scott.

“I’m a huge believer in teamwork and the incredible things that can happen when people unify around a common goal. I know that by working together and setting a gold standard across governance, operations, financials, coaching, and programming, we can build the best-in-class organization our athletes need to be successful on the world’s stage.”

A model of decency, humanity and humility, Scott’s community influence has extended far beyond the trails and her fight for fair play.

She founded Spirit North in 2017, an organization committed to improving the lives of Indigenous children through the transformative power of sport and play. Under her leadership as chief executive officer of the organization until 2024, Spirit North grew from a small charitable endeavour serving four communities and 300 youth in Northern Alberta into Canada’s largest sport-for-development organization, working in partnership with more than 100 Indigenous communities across Canada, and reaching more than 16,000 Indigenous children and youth annually with sport and play programs.

“Spirit North was born out of a passion for sport, and with the belief that sport can change lives, inspire individuals, heal and teach. And, that this is an opportunity that should be available to all,” said Scott, who was responsible for leading the strategic direction and all operational activities of Spirit North, including financial oversight, stakeholder management and fund development. “I am very proud of the work we did as a team, raising more than $6 million to grow Spirit North into one of the most successful sport-for-development organizations in the country. Through this journey, I learned about the complexities and nuances of running a non-profit organization that will benefit me at Nordiq Canada.”

Scott will officially take the reins of the national sport organization, March 17, on the opening day of the Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

“My immediate priority will be to embark on a listening tour, meeting with as many members of the community as possible to gather input, ideas and perspectives,” said Scott. “The ultimate goal is to get the organization on solid financial ground and ensure we’re set up for long-term success. To do this, we must work together – united in our efforts to create a stronger organization that best supports our athletes.”

Scott lives near Nordiq Canada’s headquarters in Canmore, Alberta with her husband – an Olympian, former national cross-country skiing coach and current national biathlon team coach – Justin Wadsworth, along with their two children who all enjoy cross-country skiing and an active lifestyle.

An officer of the Order of Canada, and an inducted member of Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame, Scott holds an Honourary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta, the University of British Columbia and Mount Royal University. She has received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, and the Meritorious Service Medal. She has remained a passionate volunteer in her community, donating her time to many charities including UNICEF, Right to Play, and frequently works for CBC Sports as a broadcast analyst.